Holmes steps in for WP

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Flank Tyrone Holmes replaces the injured Rynhardt Elstadt in the only change to the Western Province side for their clash with the Sharks on Saturday.

Holmes returns in the No.7 jersey, after recovering from a shoulder injury, as coach Allister Coetzee keeps faith in the starting combinations that did duty in the victory over the Cheetahs last week.

On the bench, meanwhile, Tom Botha replaces Springbok squad member Frans Malherbe as the additional front row replacement and fit-again Joe Pietersen returns to the matchday 22 at the expense of youngster Pat Howard.

Botha is a former WP Under-21 star and a member of the Vodacom Cup-winning side from earlier this year. He will make his Currie Cup debut should he take to the field.

Pietersen, of course, will return to action for the first time since Round One - also against the Sharks - a wrist injury having kept him out.

"This is a good Sharks side - even without their many Springboks. Their pack then (when we lost to them in the first round) was probably weaker than the one now - they've got Bresler back and Daniel too. Really, they're a quality outfit across the board," said Coetzee.

"Also, it's an away game (in Durban), which is another challenge for us, plus we've not beaten the Sharks in the Currie Cup this year.

"Every game is important and tough, but we want to start the second round of competition better and we want to continue improving our game," he added.